POSITION: FALL QUEER CHAINSAW CREW MEMBER

DATES: August 23, 2021 – November 12, 2021

STATUS: Seasonal, Full-time, Camping Program for the Fall

LOCATION: Durango, CO

STIPEND: $330/week

AGES: 18 – 30

BENEFITS: $1,342.86 AmeriCorps Education Award at the end of your term of service, Food provided while in the field, uniform shirts, personal protective equipment. Wilderness First Aid & CPR/AED certification. USFS Recognized Chainsaw Training (S-212).

ABOUT SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS:  The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a program of the non-profit service organization, Conservation Legacy, that is built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that operated from 1933 – 1942. SCC provides youth and young adults opportunities to complete conservation projects on public lands. While serving with SCC, members receive training on job skills, conflict resolution, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Programs are developed using a step ladder approach to provide a progression of skill development based on a member’s needs. Members receive a weekly living allowance, training, and an AmeriCorps Education Award (for qualifying individuals).

ABOUT THE POSITION

The goal of this affinity crew is to have a place at work where people with identities that have historically and systematically been dealt a tougher hand can come together to unify, express, wonder, dissolve barriers, and heal, and grow! The LGBTQA2S+ Affinity Crew seeks to create a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space for all regardless of gender or sexual identity. We value respect (of names, pronouns, orientation, gender, and philosophies), confidentiality, boundaries (both physical and auditory), and maintaining a safe space for all.

As an AmeriCorps program participant with the Southwest Conservation Corps, your office is the great outdoors! Each crew consists of 6-7 members and 2 leaders. Crews work and camp for 8 days at a time in either frontcountry (access to your crew vehicle and trailer), or backcountry (hiking all your supplies in with backpacks) locations, in all types of weather conditions. You will work as a member of the crew; perform heavy manual labor, and complete conservation projects using a variety of manual and power tools. You will a participate in environmental education activities. Risk management is of utmost importance, and all procedures must be followed at all times.

Projects include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, re-vegetation and local environmental service projects. Crews may also complete technical and/or specialized projects depending on project partner needs, including disaster relief if the opportunity arises.

Schedules generally are 8-days on and 6 off. There is a possibility you could work 4-days on and 3-days off, or a variation of schedules requiring all AmeriCorps crew members to show flexibility. SCC does not provide housing on your off days. 

All crews will go through a 4-5 day volunteer orientation (August 23 – August 27). This will include a Wilderness First Aid training. Food, transportation, and space to camp is provided for this training.  

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

QUALIFICATIONS:

• To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs
• A US citizen that has received (or on track to receive) a high school diploma or GED
• All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization.

PARTICIPANT AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of any kind
• Appropriately represent SCC and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all time

RISK MANAGEMENT AND JUDGEMENT

• Effectively follow direction by others, so that you will be able to successfully manage hazards
• Ask clarifying question when you do not understand a task
• Maintain focus during workday, both while traveling and working in varied weather conditions
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage without assistance from others

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS & OUTDOOR SKILLS

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living and work skills as appropriate to the project
• Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks

SUBSTANCE FREE

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and SCC activities, and while on organization property

TO APPLY: VISIT HTTPS://SCCORPS.ORG/OPEN-POSITIONS

Any questions can be addressed to Lisa Slupianek, lslupianek@conservationlegacy.org

AT SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS, equity is a core value. To put power behind this statement, we prioritize and encourage opportunities for Black, Indigenous, Queer, Trans, and Women of Color (QTBIPOC).

Required Skills Required Experience